Search Website. Fire Department. What do firefighters do during the day when not on emergency calls? Follow Us. Frequently Asked Questions. Why do both a fire truck and an ambulance always show up for a medical emergency? Why do firefighters go to the grocery store together on a fire truck while on duty? What do firefighters do at night? Why are the fire engines left running on calls? How can I become a volunteer? Contact Information. View Full Contact Details.
Resource Center. Forms Documents News. Ask your friends to remove any such posts involving you from their pages. In some cases, it makes sense to close out your accounts. This is often overlooked, but the required background check covers credit score. Bad credit will hurt you. Be disciplined about improving your score if need be. Working in public safety is all about community service.
Volunteering your time for a great cause is one way to prove you're ready to serve your community. And it doesn't matter if it's fire-related or non-fire related. There's a lot of great opportunities out there for you to make a difference. Study, study, study. And, when in doubt, study some more. The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions and is divided into categories. Check out these test-taking basics to give yourself the best chance at passing with flying colors.
You can't study for this one. This evaluation will look at your mental and emotional stability to withstand the stresses associated with firefighting. Getting your state entry-level firefighter certifications, such as Firefighter I and II, is a great move. Joining a volunteer fire department is one way to get into an academy. Why do you want to be a firefighter? But you better prepare for this question. Here are four additional questions you'll be sure to get in a firefighter interview — how you answer will influence a panel's hiring decision.
This is your time to shine and stand out. The requirements to become a firefighter can seem daunting. Stay up to date on firefighter employment and hiring information with these resources:. From recruit to probie: Advice for the newest members joining the ranks. How will you stand out against other applicants? Download this how to become a firefighter infographic as a starting point.
Once you're ready to start preparing for the written exam, download our written exam checklist to keep yourself on track. However, some employers give preference to new hires with an undergraduate degree or certificate in fire science or a closely-related subject. Earning a postsecondary degree or certificate can provide holders with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to advance their careers into management and administration roles. Below is a comprehensive look at the various elements that make up postsecondary fire fighter education starting with the types of colleges, universities, and other institutions that offer training.
Both on-campus and online training programs exist for firefighters. Keep your long-term goals in mind as you consider each option. Also known as technical schools, vocational and trade schools are career-focused institutions providing practical coursework and training programs geared toward preparing students for employment in specific trades and occupations. Vocational and trade schools today offer a range of options, including subject-specific diplomas, professional and skill-specific certifications, postsecondary certificates, and in some cases two-year associate degrees.
Many vocational and trade schools offer certificate programs in fire science that provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills related to firefighting and fire prevention. These programs may also include EMT certification to better prepare students for entry-level work as a firefighter.
Vocational and trade schools, both public and private, can be found throughout the U. Best for: Individuals intent on kick-starting a firefighting career by gaining basic knowledge and skills in the shortest amount of time.
Community colleges in the United States are primarily known for offering two-year associate degrees, but most schools also offer a variety of other academic options, including professional certificate programs, vocational diploma programs, training certifications, and more.
Fire science certificate and associate degree programs are common and available at many community college campuses throughout the U. Best for: Individuals looking for a good balance between receiving a well-rounded liberal-arts education and getting a quick start on a firefighting career.
Military service a great way to get top-notch training and valuable skills in any number of professions, and that includes firefighting. As you might expect, military firefighting training is highly regarded in the civilian world, and firefighters with military training are often moved to the top of the recruit list by fire departments throughout the nation. Of course, military firefighting training comes with your enlistment, and that includes the same basic training as other enlistees, and fulfilling your tour-of-duty.
But whether you intend a full military career or simply wish to serve your country while preparing for civilian life, military firefighter training is an excellent choice. Best for: Anyone interested in meeting the call-of-duty to serve their country with the long-term career goal of working as a firefighter. Best for: Those who are currently working as firefighters or are interested in a career in firefighting with an eye on future career advancement who also want the full four-year college experience.
All degree work can often be completed with two years of full-time study, but programs typically allow substantially more time for completion, particularly in regard to the final project. However, most programs focus on management and administration such as emergency management, fire administration, and public administration with a fire services concentration. Best for: Working professionals seeking an advanced degree to move their careers into management and administration.
A fire science certificate or degree can be a huge plus when trying to land a firefighter job or advance your firefighting career. The purpose of an undergraduate-level certificate in fire science is to provide students with the fundamental knowledge , training, and skills in a particular firefighting-related subject.
Common certificate subjects include fire science, firefighter both basic and advanced , fire prevention specialist, fire apparatus operator, and hazardous materials operations. The main advantage to earning a fire science certificate is time. A certificate can be earned in several weeks or months depending on the specific program.
Online firefighting certificate programs may also be available. Best for: Those seeking quick entry into ground-level jobs as fire fighters or in some cases EMTs. Bear in mind that completing fire academy training and meeting other prerequisites like obtaining EMT certification will still be necessary. The fire science associate degree is another good choice for anyone intending on seeking an entry-level job as a firefighter, but who also has an eye toward advancing their career in the future.
Like the undergraduate certificate, an associate degree in fire science provides students a strong foundational knowledge base in fire science, but also includes general education coursework in a variety of liberal arts and science subjects.
The fire science associate degree normally requires two years of full-time study. Programs are available on community college campuses and online. As with the fire science certificate, associate degree holders should still expect to complete fire academy training and meet other prerequisites before starting work as a professional firefighter. However, it is more often used by working professionals to gain knowledge and skills in specialized areas of the field to advance their careers into management or administration.
Some programs may be completed more quickly, depending primarily on the number of previously-earned credits transferred from certificate or associate degree programs. Both online and traditional campus programs are readily available from public and private colleges and universities alike. Best for: Individuals currently working in firefighting or a related field interested in expanding their knowledge base and skill set in preparation for career advancement into supervisory or management positions.
First, they provide knowledge and skills in a specialized area of the field, like emergency management, fire and arson investigation, and fire protection engineering. Second, they provide training in management and administration.
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